Infant chairs

ABSTRACT

An infant-supporting chair. The chair may include a seat and a tray assembly that includes a releasable mechanical latching system for retainingly engaging the tray assembly to the seat when the tray assembly is in a latching position. The chair may further include a tray guidance system that is configured to guide the tray assembly into the latching position. The tray guidance system may comprise at least one magnet feature in the seat and at least one other magnet feature in the tray assembly. Once latched, the tray may be slidably positioned relative to the seat while remaining latched thereto. The seat may be movably supported on a frame assembly and a seat positioning system may be included to selectively retain the seat at desired heights on the frame assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/031,895,entitled HIGH CHAIR, filed Aug. 1, 2014, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention, in at least some forms, relates to infant chairsand, in various embodiments, to high chairs for infants and children.

High chairs may comprise a variety of shapes, sizes, and features. Forexample, high chairs may provide a safe and comfortable place forinfants to sit while eating or drinking. High chairs may includefeatures for securing an infant and/or for preventing and/or limitingthe spillage of food and/or drink.

A conventional high chair generally consists of a frame, a seat, and afood tray. The seat is for seating a child and may be moved upwards onthe frame. The food tray rests on the seat for holding food and drink.At mealtimes, infants and small children are placed in the high chair tobe fed. The child may be strapped into the seat, and then the high chairtray is attached in front of the child. The tray usually has a raisedrim or flange around its circumference to form a recessed main trayarea, with the rim keeping spilled food and liquid from running off ontothe floor.

However, conventional high chairs suffer from various deficiencies thatcan make such high chairs difficult to use. For instance, conventionalhigh chairs require the user to carefully align the tray with two railswhen attaching the tray to the seat. The tray is then pushed in one, andonly one, direction for attachment. This can be difficult to do with onehand. In addition, the restraint systems utilized on current high chairsare often times difficult and cumbersome to use. Furthermore,conventional high chairs are typically difficult to clean as food caneasily become caught in corners and crevices, and also within the weaveof webbing common to high chairs.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved high chair that cures suchdeficiencies.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspectsof the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and shouldnot be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with theadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tray attachment mechanism for use with ahigh chair embodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of a flexible liner for use with thehigh chair and a table surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary system for attaching aliner to the food tray of a high chair.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a rigid liner for use with thehigh chair.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a chair of the high chair withan exemplary liner arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of utensilsfor use with the high chair.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment ofutensils for use with the high chair.

FIG. 9 is a front view and a side view illustrating an exemplaryaccessory and the manner in which the accessory is utilized with thehigh chair.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a lower portion of a foldable frameof the high chair.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of aharness mechanism for use with the high chair.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary crotch strap for usewith the harness mechanism of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of mechanisms used for tighteningthe harness mechanism of FIG. 11 around a seated child.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of aharness mechanism for use with the high chair.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a harnessmechanism for use with the high chair.

FIG. 17 is a front view and perspective view of a fourth exemplaryembodiment of a harness mechanism for use with the high chair.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are side elevation views of a split tray for use withthe high chair.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a dual function handle for use with atray of the high chair.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a multiple pole magnetic arraythat may be utilized with serving devices.

FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of a ferrous disk or cup that may beutilized with serving devices.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a portion of the high chair inaccordance with the invention illustrating a transition piece configuredto create a joint that is hidden from view.

FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of aharness mechanism for use with the high chair.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a chair assembly having a tray assemblyattached to a seat according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 26 is a front elevation view of the chair assembly of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a rear elevational view of the chair assembly of FIGS. 25 and26 with the seat latched in its uppermost position.

FIG. 28 is another rear elevational view of the chair assembly of FIGS.25-27 with the seat thereof in its lowermost latched position.

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the chair assembly of FIGS. 25-28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective and partial exploded view of the seat of FIG.25 depicting a retaining post and a pair of magnetics in an armrest ofthe seat.

FIG. 31 is a rear view of the seat of FIG. 30 with one of the rearhousing assemblies removed for clarity;

FIG. 32 is a partial right side view of the chair assembly of FIGS.25-30 with the right housing assembly omitted and with the hook assemblythereof in retaining engagement with the right vertical strut of theframe assembly.

FIG. 33 is another partial right side view of the chair assembly ofFIGS. 25-32 with the right housing assembly omitted and with portion ofthe hook assembly omitted for clarity.

FIG. 34 is an exploded view of a releasable linkage assembly embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the chair assemblyof FIGS. 25-34 with portions of the releasable linkage assembly omittedfor clarity purposes.

FIG. 36 is a front view of a seat embodiment and removable trayembodiment.

FIG. 37 is a lower front perspective view of a tray assembly embodiment.

FIG. 38 is an upper front perspective view of the tray assemblyembodiment of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the tray assemblyembodiment taken along plane 39, 40 in FIG. 38, depicting the trayrelease assembly of FIG. 38 in an unactuated (latched) position.

FIG. 40 is another cross-sectional side elevation view of the trayassembly embodiment taken along the plane 39, 40 in FIG. 38, depictingthe tray release assembly embodiment in an actuated (unlatched)position.

FIG. 41 is an exploded front elevation view of the tray assemblyembodiment of FIGS. 38-40.

FIG. 42 is an exploded side elevational view of the tray assemblyembodiment of FIGS. 38-41.

FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view of the tray assembly embodimentof FIGS. 38-42 with a tray bottom and a cartridge removed to exposeportions of a latching assembly embodiment and a portion of a magneticassembly embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a bottom perspective view of portions of the tray assemblyembodiment of FIGS. 38-43.

FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of the tray assembly embodiment ofFIGS. 38-44.

FIG. 46 is a plan view of a tray latching system embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a bottom view of the tray assembly embodiment of FIGS. 38-42with portions thereof omitted for clarity and with the central releasebutton in an unactuated (latched) position.

FIG. 48 is another bottom view of the tray assembly embodiment of FIGS.38-42 and 47 with portion thereof omitted for clarity and with thecentral release button in an actuated (unlatched) position.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments ofthe invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The design and/or utility features of the embodiments disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. D730,070, entitled HIGH CHAIR, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein may be employed andincorporated in the various embodiments disclosed herein.

In at least some forms, the invention is generally directed to highchairs and seats for feeding infants and toddlers and, moreparticularly, to improvements for high chairs relating to prevention ofspills and overturning dishes on the high chair tray.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a high chair isprovided that comprises: a foldable frame; a chair connected to thefoldable frame for seating a child, the chair comprising a seat, abackrest and two armrests located on two sides of the seat; and a foodtray removably connected to the armrests of the chair. The food traycomprises one of magnetic materials and ferrous-based materials embeddedtherein and the armrests comprise one of magnetic materials andferrous-based materials embedded therein such that the food tray ispulled into a mounting position when placed near the armrests due tomagnetic attraction.

The portion of the food tray that includes one of the magnetic materialsor the ferrous-based materials may have geometry that mates with ageometry of the armrests. At least one of the armrests and the food traymay further comprise mechanical latches to positively lock the food trayto the armrests.

A liner may be positioned over the food tray. In one exemplaryembodiment, the liner may be a flexible liner made from a silicone-likematerial. The flexible liner may be held in place on the food tray by aplurality of suction cups or other means of adhesion such as pressuresensitive adhesives (PSA), hook and loop systems and other commonattachment systems. In another exemplary embodiment, the liner may be arigid liner manufactured from a ferrous material and is held in place bymagnets embedded in the food tray. In still other arrangements, theliner could be manufactured from flexible material or it may befabricated with a rigid portion or portions and with a flexible portionor portions. For example, the center portion of the liner may be rigidand the edges may be formed from a flexible material.

At least one of the chair and the food tray may comprise at least onemagnet embedded therein for the attachment of at least one accessorythereto. The at least one accessory may be at least one of a bib, cup,bowl, plate, and serving utensil.

The chair may further comprise a restraint system for securing a childwithin the chair. The restraint system may comprise: a first webconnector; a second web connector configured to be coupled to the firstweb connector; a first web extending from the backrest of the chair andconfigured to be slidably passed through an aperture of the first webconnector; and a second web extending from the backrest of the chair andconfigured to be slidably passed through an aperture of the second webconnector. Alternatively, the webs may each be two separate members thataffix to the web connectors, rather than passing through an aperture. Ineither case, the first web connector and the second web connector mayeach include a magnet configured to align and secure the web connectors.The magnets of the first web connector and the second web connector maybe configured to be secured to a portion of the chair when the first webconnector and the second web connector are not in use. The restraintsystem may further comprise a buckle assembly extending from the seat ofthe chair and configured to receive the first and second web connectorstherein. The buckle assembly may be biased towards the seat by anelastic material when not in use.

At least some of the high chair of the present disclosure may besignificantly easier to clean than conventional high chairs due to theuse of flexible liners, rigid liners or both and incorporating arestraint system manufactured from coated webbing or molded straps aswill be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, andelements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. The reader will understandthat the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingexamples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein may be representative andillustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system,device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains”one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is notlimited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, anelement of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,”“includes,” or “contains” one or more elements, but is not limited topossessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of asystem that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or morefeatures possesses those one or more features, but is not limited topossessing only those one or more features.

For convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,”“horizontal,” “up,” and “down,” for example, may be used herein withrespect to the drawings. However, various devices disclosed herein canbe used in different orientations and positions, and these spatial termsare not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

A high chair in accordance with the present disclosure includes afoldable frame 1 (see FIG. 10) and a chair 3 for seating a child. Withreference to FIG. 1, the chair 3 includes a seat 5, a backrest 7, andtwo armrests 9. The two armrests 9 are located on two sides of the seat5. A food tray 13 is removably attached to the armrests 9 and includes apair of members on a bottom portion thereof that have a geometry thatcorresponds to the receiving opening 11 of the armrests 9. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the receiving openings 11 are located onthe food tray 13 and not in the armrests 9. In another embodiment,depicted in FIG. 15, each armrest 9 has an outer side with a receivingopening 11 formed therein.

With reference to FIG. 1, the food tray 13 of the high chair isconfigured as a magnetically coupled tray that directs the tray from ashort distance to pull into its mounting position relative to thearmrests 9 of the high chair by providing magnetic materials orferrous-based materials that are embedded in or attached to at least oneof the armrests 9 and the tray 13. More specifically, the user can placethe tray 13 roughly in the right area near the armrest 9 and the memberson the bottom portion of the tray 13 are guided via the receivingopenings 11 of the tray 13 (or in the armrests 9), which form “large”geometric funnels, to initially orient the tray 13 and begin guiding itinto place. Next, magnets (not shown) embedded in at least one of thetray 13 and the receiving opening 11 of the tray, begin pulling the trayinto alignment and into its final position as shown by position 15 inFIG. 1. While the magnets are pulling the tray 13 into position, themagnetic force can also be used to compress mechanical latches (notshown) provided on the tray 13. To do this, the latches travel along aramp provided in the receiving opening 11, and as the magnet pulls themalong the ramp, the ramp applies a load in the direction of latch travelfor compression. Then, in the final position, the latches may finallyengage with the armrest 9 of the high chair. Such mechanical latches maybe necessary to hold the tray with adequate strength.

With reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, another function of the tray 13 is toslide toward and away from the child in the seat 5. For example, atleast some reasons for this function may be to keep the food close tothe child, for child comfort, or to allow for easier insertion andremoval of the child from the high chair. While most high chairs have atray that slides along a channel formed at the interface between thetray and seat, at least some of the high chair embodiments of thepresent disclosure may use a split tray design where a bottom half 14 ofthe tray 13 remains fully fixed to the arm rests 9 of the chair 3, whilea top half 16 is allowed to slide relative to the bottom half 14.Considering the alignment and mounting methods described hereinabove,this split tray design may be important to achieve effective trayadjustment. The tray halves 14, 16 slide relative to one another, andthey may also lock into one of the at least two positions for thereasons described hereinabove.

For removal of the tray 13 from the chair 3 of the high chair, a usermust interact with the tray 13 to disengage the latches. In addition, aseparate mechanism within the tray 13 allows for the tray 13 to slidetoward and away from the child in the seat, and to lock into one of atleast two sliding positions. The tray removal function and the trayslide function may be achieved through use of separate buttons orlevers. Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 20, the tray 13 mayinclude a dual-function handle 18 that allows for two unique motionsfrom the same handle to serve these two different functions. Forexample, an upward motion of the handle 18 as shown by arrow A₁ maydisengage the latches for removal of the tray, while a pulling motion ofthe handle 18 as shown by arrow A₂ may allow the tray 13 to slideforward and back. While an exemplary dual-function handle 18 has beendescribed hereinabove, this is not intended to limit any of theembodiments of the present disclosure as any suitable handle requiringany number of unique motions engaging any number of functions may beutilized.

Conventional high chairs may also include a rigid plastic tray linerthat covers the tray. This tray liner may, for example, be removable forcleaning, often in a dishwasher. During a given day, a child may get thetray liner dirty three or more times. A parent must clean the tray linerafter each meal, or else the main tray becomes very messy. This is notideal because the main tray is typically not dishwasher safe and can beharder to clean.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of the high chair of thepresent disclosure may employ flexible tray liners 17. Like a rigidplastic tray liner, a flexible tray liner 17 can be used to provide acleanable surface for food and keep the tray underneath clean. However,unlike the conventional tray liner, a user could have three or moreflexible tray liners 17 for use throughout the day. A flexible trayliner 17 would be easy to remove and to clean at the sink or in thedishwasher. A self-healing surface may be used to facilitate cutting offood on the liner. In addition, a section 19 of the tray liner 17 may beconfigured to wrap around the side of the tray 13 closest to the childto help keep the tray 13 clean. The liner 17 may also be provided with araised edge or lip around an outer edge thereof or a trough around theouter edge to help keep liquid and mess contained. The flexible liner 17may be made from any suitable material such as, but not limited to,flexible silicone.

Rather than clipping to the tray 13 like conventional rigid plastic trayliners, the flexible tray liner 17 may be fit into a form-fitting recessin the tray 13, held in place using embedded magnets, or by usingmagnetically-responsive materials such as ferrous materials to hold tomagnets embedded in the tray 13. Alternatively, use of miniature suctioncups 21 (see FIG. 4), satae (like on gecko feet), or speciallow-adhesion reusable adhesives would provide a bond to the surfaceunderneath.

With specific reference to FIG. 3, the flexible liner 17 works not onlyon the tray 13 but also on traditional dining surfaces. This is helpfulwith the tray is not being used so the child can eat on an easilycleanable surface that also helps to contain mess. This is animprovement over the traditional dining surface. And again, there can bemultiple flexible tray liners 17 (or in this scenario, placemats) foruse throughout the day. The systems for attaching the liner 17 to thetray 13 described hereinabove, can also hold the liner 17 to thetraditional dining surface, thereby preventing it from slipping or beingpulled off by a child. Additionally, such a liner may include a raisededge or lip around the perimeter thereof for containment of liquid andmess.

With reference to FIG. 5, another alternative to the common plastic trayliners is a rigid tray liner 23 that utilizes magnetically-responsivematerials such as ferrous materials. This tray liner could be held tothe tray 13 using embedded magnets as shown by element 25, therebyimproving user experience and potentially providing easier attachmentand removal than traditional tray liners. Such a liner also provides abase to which a system of magnet accessories could attach as discussedin greater detail hereinafter. Magnetic attachment is not intended tolimit the present disclosure, since more conventional means of plastictray liner attachment could also be applied to the rigid tray liner.

Like the flexible tray liner 17 discussed hereinabove, it would providea cleanable surface for food and would keep the tray underneath clean,and could be dishwasher-safe. A section of the rigid tray liner 23 maywrap around the side of the tray closest to the child to help keep thetray clean. A raised lip or recessed trough around the outer edge mayalso be provided to keep liquid contained. The rigid tray liner 23 maybe covered or coated with any suitable material such as, but not limitedto, anti-microbial and hydrophobic plastics or powder coating.

Other systems for magnetic accessory attachment to a tray include use ofmagnets or magnetically-responsive materials on the tray surface orembedded within the tray itself.

With reference to FIG. 6, the flexible tray liner 17 and the rigid trayliner 23 may be used in combination with the rigid tray liner 23 beingmagnetically secured to the tray 13 and the flexible tray liner 17 beingpositioned on the rigid tray liner 23 to keep the tray 13 and the rigidtray liner 23 clean. A potential cause of mess while a child is eatingcan be the spilling, ejection, or tipping of cups, bowls, plates, orother serving devices. For this reason, manufacturers of child servingdevices frequently make the bottom surface with a high coefficient offriction to prevent sliding, make the bottom heavy to the table to avoidtipping, or even use a large suction cup on the base to bond the servingdevice to the tray.

With reference to FIG. 7, the present disclosure is also directed to aunique bonding of the serving device 27 to the tray 13. In one exemplaryembodiment, magnets may be used on the bottom of the serving device 27to allow it to hold with a desired amount of force to the tray 13.Alternatively, use of miniature suction cups 21, satae (like on geckofeet), or special low-adhesion reusable adhesives could provide a bondto the surface underneath. Such systems are easier for parents to use,as there is no need to compress a large suction cup or to find therelease mechanism of the suction cup's suction, as is the case with anumber of conventional products. Magnetic materials ormagnetically-responsive materials such as ferrous materials and helpprevent spills, ejection, or tipping of such devices.

With reference to FIG. 8, to integrate the magnet into the servingdevices 27, a conventional magnet can be molded or otherwise bonded intothe base of the device 27 during manufacture. Alternatively, aninjection molded magnet may be employed. Injection molded magnets, alsoknown as polymer bonded magnets, may be molded separately and assembledonto the device 27, or molded directly with the rest of the device 27 toprovide a permanent, integral bond. Alternatively, there may be aremovable “coaster” that interfaces between the device 27 and the tray13 and uses any of these approaches to integrate a magnet into the base.This allows the serving device 27 to be used with or without themagnetic base, which could help improve the ability of the servingdevice to withstand microwaving. In any case, the magnet may have asingle pole, or the magnet could be magnetized with a multitude of polesto allow for magnetism over a larger area. With reference to FIG. 21, amultitude of poles could also increase magnetic strength, similar toHalbach arrays, denoted generally as reference numeral 28, found incommon refrigerator magnets. Alternatively, or in conjunction with, aferrous disk or cup on the reverse of the magnet can be used to redirectmagnetism and to increase magnetic strength as shown in FIG. 22. Inaddition, such devices 27 may be configured to be secured to the rigidtray liner 23 discussed hereinabove.

With reference to FIG. 9, other accessories such as a bib 29 or utensilsmay also attach to the seat or tray through use of magnets. In the caseof bib 29, the magnets 31 could also be used to secure the bib 29 arounda child's neck, thereby replacing other fastening mechanisms.

In addition, there are times when users do not need the tray 13,especially as children get older and eat from the table. When the tray13 is not in use, it is beneficial to the user to have somewhereconvenient to store it. The high chair of the present disclosureprovides a location where the tray 13 may attach and be secure. Theattachment may be a mechanical attachment or utilize magnets alone or inconjunction with the mechanical attachment to secure the tray 13 inplace.

If the user has eating accessories (bibs, utensils, eating containers,wipes, flexible tray liners, etc.), various embodiments of the highchair of the present disclosure may also provide a storage area on theseat for these items as well. For instance, a storage basket underneaththe seat or a storage pouch on the back of the seat may be provided.Either storage solution may be attached using a variety of systems, suchas, but not limited to, webbing or strap loops, snaps, hook and loopfasteners, zippers, buckles, or magnets.

With reference to FIG. 10, a rear-leg hinge 33 may be incorporated foreasy out of box assembly and customer collapsibility. This reduces sizefor packaging and shipping. An integrated hinge and easy to use latchcreate this motion while maintaining safety. Shielding of the rotatingjoint can be used to prevent pinch hazards. Bumpers may be used toprevent damage or injury where the rear legs 35 fold and come intocontact with the front leg assembly 37.

Tubes of aluminum, or other metallic materials, may be used on the highchair as a strong, light-weight structural material. They may be usedfor both the legs 35, 37 and the horizontal supports. For aestheticappearance, it is desirable to hide all fasteners. To this end, a numberof mechanical features or combinations thereof can be utilized to makethe fasteners hidden from the user.

To ensure a solid connection between the aluminum legs and the plasticconnector pieces, an interference-fit using tall thin collapsing ribs,wide short crush ribs, or features in-between or a combination thereofmay be utilized. A secondary feature can ensure the tubes cannot beremoved, such as a threaded fastener, rivet, or a barbed nail. Afastener need not be used if there is a more subtle feature like apunch, dimple, or bent tab in the aluminum leg at the joint. Inaddition, the plastic parts could include a molded-in snap feature thatengages inside the aluminum tube and cannot easily be removed.

Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 23, to ensure a solid connectionbetween the aluminum horizontal supports 32 and the aluminum legs 34, atransition piece 36 may be provided that utilizes a combination of themethods described above to create a joint that is hidden from view. Forexample, blind rivets may be used to hold the transition piece 36 to thealuminum leg 34, while an interference-fit may be used to attach to thehorizontal supports 32.

With reference to FIG. 11, an “active” restraint system for use with thehigh chair may include a first web 40 a and a second web 40 b thatextend from the backrest 7 of the high chair 3 as shown. The webs 40 a,40 b can include various types of woven fabric materials and/or othersuitable belt or strap materials known in the art that providesufficient strength, flexibility, durability and/or othercharacteristics. Desirably, each of the webs 40 a, 40 b is made from acoated webbing material or is configured as a molded strap. A primaryadvantage of these materials may be that they are much easier to cleanthan webbing alone. Besides the cleanability, both coated webbing andmolded straps may hold their shape more than traditional webbing. Inuse, traditional webbing tends to lie flat against the seat back, whilethese materials may stand-off of the seat surface to help present thewebs to the parent, making them easier to use than traditional webbing.

Each of the webs 40 a, 40 b slidably pass through an aperture in acorresponding web connector 42 (identified individually as a first webconnector 42 a and a second web connector 42 b). Passing the webs 40 a,40 b through the web connectors 42 a, 42 b, respectively divides each ofthe webs 40 a, 40 b into a corresponding shoulder web portion 44(identified individually as a first shoulder web portion 44 a and asecond shoulder web portion 44 b), and a corresponding lap web portion46 (identified individually as a first lap web portion 46 a and a secondlap web portion 46 b). The end portions of the webs 40 a, 40 b can besecured or otherwise affixed to the chair 3 and/or other adjacentstructures using various methods known in the art.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the web connectors 42 a, 42 b can bereleasably coupled to a buckle assembly 48 using various methods knownin the art. The buckle assembly 48, for example, may require that theweb connectors 42 a, 42 b interlock and simultaneously engage the buckleassembly 48. The buckle assembly 48 is attached to a distal end of acrotch web 50 that extends from the seat 5 of the high chair. The webconnectors 42 a, 42 b may use magnets (not shown) to aid in alignmentand securing of the web connectors 42 a, 42 b. Once in close proximity,the magnets may pull the web connectors 42 a, 42 b into place and mayalso engage a mechanical latch (see FIG. 15). In an alternativeembodiment, the web connectors 42 a, 42 b may pull into the buckleassembly 48 directly through use of magnets.

With reference to FIG. 24, an alternative to webs 40 passing through anaperture in a corresponding web connector 42, the first shoulder webportion 44 a and second shoulder web portion 44 b may be separate fromfirst lap web portion 46 a and second lap web portion 46 b. The shoulderweb portions 44 a, 44 b may be attached using a separate web connectorthat is provided as four distinct parts 43 a, 43 b, 43 c, and 43 d. Theparts 43 a, 43 b, 43 c, and 43 d are linked together and connected to acentral connection member 45, thereby not requiring any extra effort bythe user during assembly. Alternatively, the shoulder web portions maybe removed and the “active” restraint system has been changed from a5-point harness to a 3-point harness.

Using traditional high chair restraint systems, the harness (webbing andbuckles) may be trapped underneath the child after they are placed inthe seat. This is increasingly difficult if this is a 5-point harnessrather than 3-point harness design. A first innovation is use of amagnetic clasp to attach the restraint buckles to the side of the highchair so they are not underneath the child as described (see FIG. 16).This would prevent the child from sitting on the harness while stillbeing easy to buckle after the child is placed in the seat. In the caseof the crotch restraint, magnets may be used to attach the webbing tothe crotch post. Alternatively, or in addition, a semi-rigid material 52may be used in place of the crotch web 50 to bias it out of the way whenthe child is being placed in the seat (see FIGS. 11 and 16).

With reference to FIG. 13, once the child is in the seat and buckled, itis desirable for the harness system to be snug in order to hold thechild securely. While traditional high chairs require tightening of eachweb 40 a, 40 b, at least some of the high chair embodiments of thepresent disclosure include a cinching mechanism 54 that may be similarto those used in car seats. For example, the cinching mechanism 54 maybe mounted under the seat, in front of the crotch post 56, or integratedwithin the crotch post 56 (see FIG. 13). Pulling on a single strap 58located at the base of the seat tightens the child within the entire5-point harness. An alternative approach would use a similar pull on asingle strap, but the pull tightens the straps around the child's waistinstead of the straps over the shoulders. This design may, for example,require redirection of the single pull via pulleys 60 or another meansof redirection (see FIG. 14). The shoulder straps may be included orexcluded with this approach, thereby allowing it to function as either a5-point or a 3-point harness.

A passive restraint system may include the seat shape, the crotch post56, and the tray 13 which are components of the overall restraintsystem. Together, they may, for example, keep a child captive even whenthe harness of the active restraint system is not in use. The adjustabletray allows the tray to be closer to the child or farther away from thechild. The crotch post 56 may also keep the child from slidingunderneath the tray and may keep their legs in place so they cannotcrawl out from above the seat when the tray is in place. In variousembodiments of the present disclosure, use of an adjustable crotch post56 may keep the child even more securely retained in the seat. Slidingthe crotch post 56 toward the child could help to secure them in place,further preventing them from moving in a manner that might allow themout of the seat (see FIG. 17).

Along with the adjustable crotch post 56, the harness could buckledirectly into the crotch post 56, which might eliminate the need for acrotch restraint and floating buckle. This could make the seat morecleanable with no crotch restraint and easier to use with no “floating”buckle (see FIG. 17). In addition, the single webbing section that isused to tighten the harness (either via shoulder tightening or waisttightening) could be attached to the adjustable crotch post 56 such thatsliding the crotch post results in tightening of the harness equivalentto that distance of the webbing being pulled by hand. In doing so, aloose harness initially becomes tight when the crotch post is movedtoward the child.

Antimicrobial surfaces may be provided to various elements of the highchair described herein to keep a child safe in an eating environmentwhere bacteria are likely to thrive. This may be done using anantimicrobial coating or embedded within the material of parts cominginto contact with a child or parent. Applicable places for antimicrobialtechnology may include, but not be limited to: flexible tray liner;rigid tray liner; tray; accessories; seat; restraint coated/moldedwebbing; restraint buckles; release handles; buttons; and otherinteraction points.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-29, another “infant-supporting” chairembodiment 100 is depicted. As used herein, the term “infant-supporting”is intended to encompass infants as well as small children that arecommonly fed utilizing “high chairs” and high-chair like arrangements.Moreover, as the present Detailed Description proceeds, the person ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that certain featuresof the chairs and chair assembly embodiments disclosed herein may findequal utility in use in connection with chair and chair arrangementsthat may be more specifically tailored to support larger children oradults without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In the illustrated arrangement, the infant-supporting chair100 includes a frame assembly 110 that is configured to movably supporta seat 200 in a plurality of heights above the floor or other surfaceupon which the frame assembly 110 is supported. As will be discussed infurther detail below, the chair assembly 100 also includes a trayassembly 400 that is removably attachable or “releasably mountable” tothe seat 200.

Still referring to FIGS. 25-29, the frame assembly 110 is fabricatedfrom multiple components that may be fabricated from various structuralmaterials. For example, the components of the frame assembly 110 may befabricated from extruded aluminum or from steel or other metal materialas well as from structural blow-molded plastics and other polymermaterials and combinations thereof. The metal components may be paintedor otherwise coated or encapsulated in anti-microbial and hydrophobicplastics or be coated or covered with powder coating or other suitablecoating materials to achieve a desired aesthetic appearance for example.

The frame assembly components may be joined together by, for example,screws, bolts, spring-biased detents, rivets, bent tabs, molded snapfeatures, interference fits, crushable features, hinges,tongue-in-groove arrangements, etc. In some embodiments, the fastenersmay be removable to facilitate disassembly by the user for storageand/or transport purposes and, in other embodiments, the fasteners orfastener medium may not be removable. For example, in other embodiments,the frame assembly components may be joined together by welding,adhesive, etc. In still other embodiments, the frame assembly may beformed in one piece. For example, the frame assembly may be formed fromstructural, blow molded plastic or other suitable materials.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 25-29, the frame assembly 110includes a right or “first” side structure 120 and a left or “second”side structure 150. The right side structure 120 includes a “first” orright vertical strut 122 that is attached to a “first” or righttransition joint 124. A “first” or right front leg 126 and a “first” orright rear leg 128 are attached to the right transition joint 124.Similarly, the left side structure 150 includes a “second” or leftvertical strut 152 that is attached to a “second” or left transitionjoint 154. A “second” or left front leg 156 and a “second” or left rearleg 158 are attached to the left transition joint 154 as shown. A pairof front cross struts 180, 182 are attached to the right front leg 126and the left front leg 156 and extend therebetween as shown. A rearstrut 184 is attached to the right rear leg 128 and the left rear leg158 and extends therebetween. A curved grab rail 190 may also beattached to the right vertical strut 122 and the left vertical strut 152and extend therebetween. The grab rail 190 may provide a convenientmeans for moving the infant-supporting chair 100 into a desiredlocation. In the illustrated arrangement, the legs, struts andconnectors are fabricated from extruded metal such as aluminum or othersuitable materials and are coupled together by screws 186 or othersuitable fastener arrangements. In other arrangements, connectors maycomprise lockable hinge assemblies that facilitate folding of thevertical struts and/or the legs relative thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 30, the seat 200 includes a base 202 and a ‘first”or right armrest 210R and a “second” or left armrest 210L that extendfrom opposite sides of the seat base 202. An infant (or “occupant”) canbe seated on the base 202 between the right and left armrests 210R, 210Lof the seat 200. The seat 200 also includes a backrest 250 that extendsupward from a rear side of the base 202. The backrest 250 is configuredto support an infant (or occupant) positioned in the seat 200 in anupright and/or seated position. In other arrangements, the seat 200 maynot include a backrest. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 200includes a restraint post 260 that extends upward from the base 202. Therestraint post 260 may be configured to assist in securing andrestraining an infant or occupant who is positioned in the seat 200. Invarious arrangements, the seat 200 may be fabricated from plasticpolypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyoxymethylene(“POM”), nylon polystyrene (Nylon PS), etc. wherein the restraint post260 is integrally formed therewith. In other embodiments, the restraintpost 260 is attached to the base by screws, bolts snap features, etc.for assembly purposes and to facilitate positioning of the restraintpost 260 in multiple positions on the seat and/or detachment therefromor it may be non-removably affixed to the base by adhesive, rivets, etc.The seat may also include a removable insert cushion. In at least onearrangement, for example, the insert cushion comprises a one-piece seatinsert that is conformed to at least a portion of the seat and isremovable for cleaning purposes. In still other embodiments, the seatinsert may be formed in multiple pieces from a cushion material ormaterials.

In various embodiments, the seat 200 may employ a “multiple-piece”restraint system of the types and configurations described hereinaboveor other conventional restraint systems to secure and position theinfant or occupant within the seat 200. In the illustrated embodiment, aplurality of apertures 252 are provided in the backrest 250 to allow forthe various pieces (webs) of the restraint system to pass therethrough.For example, in some embodiments, the restraint system may include twoarm straps and one buckle. Further as was discussed hereinabove,magnets, hook and loop arrangements, etc. may be attached to orotherwise incorporated into the backrest 250 or other portions of theseat 200 as well as into the various web portions and/or buckles orclasps of the restraint system to retain the portions of the restraintsystem in predetermined “ready” positions that facilitate relativelyunobtrusive access to the seat 200. Details concerning the attachmentand use of the various retraining system disclosed herein were discussedin detail above and will not be repeated again for the sake of brevity.

In the illustrated arrangement, the seat 200 is movably coupled to theframe assembly 110 by a seat positioning system generally designated as300. See FIG. 29. In at least one embodiment, for example, the seatpositioning system 300 comprises a “first” or right seat latchingassembly 310R and a “second” or left seat latching assembly 310L. SeeFIG. 30. In the illustrated arrangement, the right and left seatlatching assemblies 310R, 310L are identical in construction andoperation and are “mirror images” of one another. FIGS. 32-35,illustrate various portions of the right seat latching assembly 310R. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 32, 33 and 35, the right seat latching assembly310R includes a seat sleeve 312 that is configured to slidably engagethe right vertical strut 122. The seat sleeve may, for example, bemolded from plastic polyoxymethylene (“POM”), polycarbonate (“PC”),polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“PC-ABS”), polypropylene,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), nylon, glass filled (“GF”)nylon, etc. In other embodiments, the seat sleeve 312 is machined orotherwise formed from metal material such as steel, aluminum, etc. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the seat sleeve 312 defines a strut socket314 that is configured to slidably receive therein the right verticalstrut 122 (or left vertical strut 152) therethrough. The seat sleeve 312is attached to the seat 200 by screws 315 or other suitable fasteners.As can be seen in FIGS. 30 and 31, the strut socket 314 may be formedwith a series of spaced vertical glide ribs 316 to minimize the contactarea between the right vertical strut 122 (or left vertical strut 152)and the strut socket 314 and reduce the amount of friction establishedtherebetween.

Referring again to FIGS. 31-33 and 35, the seat sleeve 312 includes arear mounting flange portion 320 that wraps around a portion of thebackrest 250 and is attached thereto by screws 322 or other suitablefasteners. Operably attached to the rear mounting flange portion 320 isa releasable linkage assembly 330. In the illustrated arrangement, thereleasable linkage assembly 330 includes a latch button 332 that has avertical link 340 attached thereto. In one arrangement for example, thelatch button 332 has a button socket 334 molded therein that is adaptedto frictionally receive a top end 342 of the vertical link 340 therein.The vertical link 340 may be fabricated from steel and the latch button332 may be molded from plastic material, for example. As can be seen inFIGS. 32-35, the vertical link 340 includes an elongated bottom slot 342that is configured to receive a first attachment pin or fastener 343therein. As can be seen in FIG. 35, the fastener 343 is received in anattachment post 324 that is formed on the rear mounting flange portion320. Such arrangement permits the vertical link 340 to move downwardly(arrow “D” in FIGS. 32, 33) when the latch button 332 is depressed. Thereleasable linkage 330 further includes a central pivot link 350 that ispivotally attached to the vertical link 340. In particular, the verticallink 340 includes a central attachment lug portion 346 that has aslotted aperture 348 therethrough. See FIG. 34. A rivet/pin 349 extendsthrough a hole 352 in the central pivot link 350 and the slottedaperture 348 in the vertical link 340 to movably affix the central link350 to the vertical link 340. See FIG. 35. The central link 350 ispivotally affixed to the rear mounting flange portion 320 by a pivot pin353 that extends through a central pivot hole 351 to be received in anattachment post 326 formed on the rear mounting flange portion 320.

Each latching assembly 310R, 310L further includes a hook assembly 360that is configured to releasably engage the corresponding vertical strut122, 152. As can be seen in FIG. 34, the hook assembly 360 in at leastone embodiment includes a metal body 362 that has a hook portion 364that is configured to be received within a slot in the correspondingvertical strut 122, 152 as will be discussed in further detail below. Inthe illustrated arrangement, the metal body 362 is supported in a moldedhook carrier 370. In particular, a pivot pin 380 extends through a hole374 in the carrier body 372 and a pivot hole 366 in the metal body 362to be received within a post 328 that is formed in the rear mountingflange portion 320. See FIGS. 34 and 35. The pivot pin 380 defines apivot axis “PA” about which the hook assembly 360 can pivot. The hookassembly 360 is operably coupled to the central link 350 by a pivotpin/rivet 355 that extends through a pivot hole 376 that is formed in anattachment tab 375 that is formed on the carrier body 372. The pivot pin355 extends through a slot 356 that is formed in the central link 350.

Referring now to FIGS. 27 and 28, each of the vertical struts 122, 152include a plurality of discrete hook slots therein that are configuredto be hookingly engaged by the hook assembly 360 of the correspondingseat latching assembly 310R, 310L. More specifically, vertical strut 122has a serious of “first” slots 390R, 392R, 394R therein and verticalstrut 152 has a series of “second” slots 390L, 392L, 394L therein. Theuppermost slot 390R in the vertical strut 122 is in the same location(or height) as the uppermost slot 390L in the vertical strut 152 so thatwhen the seat latching assemblies 310R and 310L, respectively are inretaining engagement therewith, the seat 200 and tray assembly 400 thatis attached thereto will be relatively level. Likewise, the middle slot392R in the vertical strut 122 is in the same location (or height) asthe middle slot 392L in the vertical strut 152 so that when the seatlatching assemblies 310R and 310L are in retaining engagement therewith,the seat 200 and tray assembly 400 attached thereto will be relativelylevel. The bottom-most slot 394R in the vertical strut 122 is in thesame location (or height) as the bottom-most slot 394L in the verticalstrut 152 so that when the seat latching assemblies 310R and 310L are inretaining engagement therewith, the seat 200 and tray assembly 400 thatis attached thereto will be relatively level. Other numbers of slots maybe employed, provided that an equal number of slots are provided in eachof the vertical struts 122, 152 and they are located in correspondingpredetermined locations (heights). In at least one arrangement, forexample, the uppermost slots 390R, 390L are located so that when theseat latching assemblies 310R, 310L are in retaining engagementtherewith, the tray assembly will be located at a standard table heightof, for example, approximately thirty (30) inches above the floorsurface.

Referring again to FIGS. 32-35, the hook assembly 360 is biased intohooking engagement with a corresponding slot 390R/390L, 392R/392L or394R/394L by a torsion spring 382 that is journaled on the pivot pin380. A first leg 384 of the torsion spring 382 is received with a springslot 378 in the carrier body 372 (FIG. 34) and a second leg 386 of thetorsion spring 382 abuts the seat sleeve 312 (FIG. 33). The torsionspring 382 serves to bias the metal body 362 in the locking direction“L” (FIG. 32) to retain the hook portion 364 thereof in retainingengagement with the corresponding slot 390R/390L, 392R/392L or 394R/394Lin the corresponding vertical strut 122, 152. As can be seen in FIG. 27,“first” and “second” housing segments 399R, 399L are attached to thebackrest 250 of the seat 200 to enclose the corresponding latchingassembly 310R, 310L. In the illustrated embodiment, to adjust the heightof the seat 200, the user must simultaneously depress the latch buttons332 on the latching assemblies 310R, 310L to disengage the hookassemblies 360 from the corresponding slots 390R/390L, 392R/392L or394R/394L in the vertical struts 122, 152 and then move the seat 200 tothe desired height corresponding to the next pair of slots 390R/390L,392R/392L or 394R/394L in the vertical struts 122, 152. As can be seenin FIG. 34, the end of each of the hook portions 364 is rounded so thatit can freely ride along the vertical strut 122, 152 until the hookportion 364 encounters the next slot 390R/390L, 392R/392L or 394R/394Lin the corresponding vertical strut 122, 152 at which time the torsionsprings 382 will automatically bias the hook portions 364 into theircorresponding slots 390R/390L, 392R/392L or 394R/394L. As such, once theuser has depressed the latch buttons 332 to disengage the hook portions364 and then begins to reposition the seat 200, there is no need for theuser to continue to depress the latch buttons 332 as the hook portions364 will automatically be biased into retaining engagement with the nextpair of corresponding slots 390R/390L, 392R/392L or 394R/394L in thevertical struts 122, 152. In the illustrated embodiment, should asibling or other individual depress the latch button 332 of only one ofthe latching assemblies 310R, 310L, the seat 200 will not drop becausethe hook portion 364 of the other latching assembly 310R, 310L willremain engaged. If there is an infant or occupant in the seat 200, theirweight will cause the sleeve 312 of the unlatched latching assembly310R, 310L to frictionally bind with the corresponding vertical strut122 or 152 to further prevent any inadvertent dropping of the seat 200.Such arrangement, therefore, may prevent a sibling or other individualfrom unlatching the seat 200 when a child is sitting in the seat, forexample unless the sibling or other individual simultaneously depressesthe latch buttons 332 on each of the latching assemblies 310R, 310L. Tothat end, when the hook portions 364 are hooked into engagement with arespective slot 390R/390L, 392R/392L or 394R/394L and a child or infantis supported in the seat 200, the weight of that occupant makes it moredifficult to move the linkage assembly 330 to a disengaged position.However, other embodiments could conceivably employ a single latchbutton (centrally located in the back of the seat 200 for example) thatis operably coupled to the hook assemblies 360 in each of the latchassemblies 310R, 310L so that when the single latch button is depressedor otherwise actuated, the hook assemblies 360 of both latch assemblies310R, 310L disengage from their corresponding vertical strut 122, 152.

Returning again to FIG. 30, as indicated above, the seat 200 includes a“first” or right armrest 210R and a “second” or left armrest 210L. Eachof the armrests 210R, 210L has a cavity 270 molded therein that isconfigured to accommodate a female latch piece 280 that has a latchreceptacle 282 formed therein. The latch receptacle 282 is defined by arelatively flat or planar upper surface 284 and a beveled lower surface286 which will be discussed in further detail below. The latchreceptacle 284 in each armrest 210R, 210L faces inwardly toward therestraint post 260. As can also be seen in FIG. 30, a magnet assembly ora “first arrangement of magnetic elements” 290 is also supported withinthe cavity 270. In the illustrated arrangement, the first arrangement ofmagnetic elements 290 comprises first and second seat magnetic elements292 that comprise permanent magnets that are attached to a ferromagneticbar 294 which helps to spread and direct the magnetic force in an upwarddirection (represented by arrow “U” in FIG. 30). Other shapes, numbersand configurations of magnets/ferromagnetic materials may be employed.To complete the installation, an arm cover plate 296 is attached to thecorresponding armrest 210R, 210L by screws 297 or other suitablefastener arrangements.

As indicated above, the chair assembly 100 also includes a tray assembly400, which is configured to be releasably mounted to the armrests 210R,210L of the seat 200. Referring now to FIGS. 41 and 42, the illustratedtray assembly 400 includes a tray body 402, a tray latching system 500and a tray liner 800 that is configured to be removably coupled to thetray body 402 as will be discussed in further detail below. In theillustrated arrangement, the tray body 402 may comprise a tray baseportion 410 and a tray top portion 460 that is attached to the tray baseportion 410. In at least one embodiment, for example, the tray baseportion 410 and the tray top portion 460 may be molded from plasticpolypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyoxymethylene(“POM”), nylon, etc. and are interconnected together to form the traybody 402 by a plurality of fasteners, such as screws 412. Other fastenerarrangements, however, such as snap features, rivets, etc. could also beemployed to couple the tray base 410 to the tray top 460. In theillustrated embodiment, the tray base 410 includes a planar bottomportion 414 and a latch housing portion 416 that also has a planarbottom surface 418 that is spaced from the bottom portion 414. See FIG.37. In addition, a plurality of feet 420 are formed in the bottomsurface 418 for facilitating support of the tray assembly 400 on asurface such as a table top or countertop, etc. when the tray assembly400 has been detached from the seat 200. The bottom portions 414 and 418may each have a relative smooth outer surface texture that facilitateseasy cleaning.

As can be seen in FIGS. 43 and 44, in the illustrated embodiment, thetray body 402 includes a utensil retainer or magnet assembly 440 formagnetically interacting with magnets or ferromagnetic components invarious utensils, cups, bowls, etc. as was described above. The magnetassembly 440 includes at least one magnet that is supported within thetray body 402. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, two rows 442,450 of permanent magnets are employed. As can be seen in FIG. 44, thefront row 442 includes four permanent magnets 444 that are received incorresponding sockets 470 that are molded into the underside 462 of thetop tray portion 460. Each magnet 444 is received within a correspondingsocket 470 and is retained therein by a first piece or bar offerromagnetic material 446 that is retainingly attached to the tray baseportion 410 by screws 445 or other suitable fasteners or fastenerarrangements. The bar 446 may serve to retain each magnet 444 within itscorresponding socket 470 and also helps to spread and direct themagnetic force generated by the magnets 444 in an upward direction so asto form a larger/stronger region of magnetic attraction within the trayassembly 400. As can be seen in FIG. 44, in the illustrated embodiment,the second row 450 includes six permanent magnets 452 that are receivedin corresponding sockets 472 that are molded into the underside 462 ofthe top tray portion 460. Each magnet 452 is received within acorresponding socket 472 and is retained therein by a second piece orbar of ferromagnetic material 454 that is retainingly attached to thetray base portion 410 by screws 455 or other suitable fasteners orfastener arrangements. Like the first bar 446, the second bar 454 mayserve to retain each magnet 452 within its corresponding socket 472 andmay also help to spread and direct the magnetic force generated by themagnets 452 in an upward direction so as to form a correspondinglarger/stronger second region of magnetic attraction within the trayassembly 400. The first and second bars 446, 454 may be fabricated from,for example, ferrous steel or stainless steel. The number of rows andnumber of magnets in each row may vary. In alternative embodiments, onlyone row or more than two rows of magnets may be employed. In still otherembodiments, only one magnet may be employed. The type, shape andstrength of the magnets may also vary. In still other arrangements, apiece or pieces of ferromagnetic material may be supported between theupper tray portion and the lower tray portion or be otherwise embeddedwithin the tray body 402 for establishing magnetic attraction withspecific magnets that are embedded or otherwise attached to variousutensils, bowls, plates, etc. The magnet assembly 440 of the illustratedembodiment helps to minimize the weight of the tray assembly 400 whileestablishing regions of magnetic attraction in desirable locationswithin the tray assembly 400.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tray latching system 500 includes aU-shaped “first” or right docking member 510R and a U-shaped “second” orleft docking member 510L. See FIGS. 36 and 37. The right and leftdocking members 510R, 510L are identical in construction and eachincludes a latch box portion 512, a planar top portion 514 and adownwardly extending, lateral docking lip 516 that serve to define adocking area 520R, 520L. See FIG. 36. In the illustrated embodiment, forexample, each of the docking members 510R, 510L may be molded fromplastic polyoxymethylene (“POM”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(“ABS”), nylon, etc. However, the docking members 510R, 510L may befabricated from other materials utilizing other manufacturingtechniques. Each docking member 510R, 510L includes an arrangement ofmagnetic elements or features generally designated as 517. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, the arrangement of magneticelements 517 comprises at least one and preferably a plurality ofdocking magnets 518 that are embedded in or otherwise mounted to theplanar top portion 514 of each docking member 510R, 510L. As will bediscussed in further detail below, the right docking member 510R isconfigured to receive the top portion of the right armrest 210R thereinand the left docking member 510L is configured to receive the topportion of the left armrest 210L therein to facilitate mechanicallatching of the tray assembly 400 to the seat 200 by the tray latchingsystem 500. To facilitate “in and out” adjustment of the tray assembly400 relative to the seat 200 (represented by arrow “A” in FIG. 29) afterthe tray assembly 400 has been latched to the seat 200, each dockingmember 510R, 510L is selectively movable between a plurality of latchingpositions.

Referring now to FIG. 43, each docking member 510R, 510L (only 510L canbe seen in that Figure) has a three position latch piece 530 attachedthereto. In the illustrated arrangement, the latch piece 530 may bemolded from plastic polyoxymethylene (“POM”), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (“ABS”), nylon, etc. and includes a body portion 532 that hasthree lugs 534, 536, 538 extending therefrom that correspond to eachlatch position. In other arrangements, fewer than three or more thanthree lugs/latch positions may be employed. An upstanding mountingmember 522 is molded into or otherwise attached to each of the dockingmembers 510R, 510L. Each mounting member 522 is sized to slidablyprotrude through a corresponding latch slot 422 formed in thecorresponding bottom portion 414 of the tray base 410 and be attached tothe corresponding latch piece 530 by screws 533 or other fasteners (FIG.44). Such arrangement permits the docking members 510R, 510L to moverelative to the tray base portion 410 in the directions represented byarrow “B” in FIGS. 37 and 43, for example.

Still referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, each of the latch pieces 530 areconfigured for selective retaining engagement with a corresponding latcharm 540 that is pivotally supported on the underside of the tray baseportion 410. Each latch arm 540 may be molded from plasticpolyoxymethylene (“POM”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”),nylon, etc. or the latch arms may be fabricated from other suitablematerials utilizing other manufacturing techniques. In the illustratedarrangement, each latch arm 540 has an upstanding mounting lug 542 thathas a passage 544 therethrough for rotatably receiving an upstandingmounting post 415 that is formed on the underside of the tray base 410.Such arrangement permits the latch arm 540 to pivot about the mountingpost 415. In the illustrated arrangement, a slot 546 is provided throughthe latching arm 540 to movably receive an upstanding stabilizing post417 therethrough. See FIG. 43. The latching arm 540 further includes anengagement or button portion 548 that is accessible through a slot 419in the tray base portion 410 to enable the user to apply an actuationmotion or force thereto. The opposite end 550 of the latching arm 540has an latch notch 552 formed therein that is configured for retainingengagement with the lug 534, 536, 538 on the latch piece 530. A torsionspring 554 is mounted on the mounting lug 542 and is configured to biasthe end 550 of the latch arm 540 into engagement with the latch piece530. Thus, once the tray assembly 400 is docked on or latched to the armrests 210R, 210L of the seat 200, the user may depress the buttonportion 548 of each latch arm 540 inwardly to disengage the latch notch552 from a corresponding one of the lugs 534,536, 538 and then move thetray assembly 400 inward or outward (arrow “A” in FIG. 29) to anotherlatching position whereby the latch notch 552 of each latch arm 540engages the corresponding lug 534, 536 or 538 that corresponds to thattray position to once again lock the tray assembly 400 into thatposition.

Turning next to FIG. 36, the tray latching system 500 further includes acentral release button 600 that is configured to simultaneously operatea pair of latch members 690R, 690L that are configured to retaininglymate with the female latch piece 280 in the corresponding armrest 210R,210L. In the illustrated arrangement, the central release button 600 maybe molded from plastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”),polyoxymethylene (“POM”), polypropylene, nylon, etc. and includes a bodyportion 602 that extends into the latch housing portion 416 of the traybase portion 410 through a slot 419 therein. A planar portion 604protrudes outwardly from the body portion 602. A forward lip portion 606extends downwardly from the planar portion 604 to form a U-shapedgrasping area, generally designated as 608. As can be seen in FIGS. 47and 48, the body portion 602 is sized to be received within a buttoncavity 620 in the tray base portion 410 that is defined by an upwardlyprotruding rear wall 622 and two side walls 624 that are molded in theunderside of the tray base 410. A pair of screws 612 extend throughslots 411 in the tray base portion 410 to be retainingly received withinscrew lugs 614 that are molded into the release button 600 to facilitatesliding attachment of the release button 600 to the tray base portion410. See FIG. 43.

The illustrated embodiment also employs a release button lockingassembly 630 that is configured to releasably retain the central releasebutton 600 in an unactuated position or “locked ” position which mayprevent inadvertent actuation of the central release button 600. As canbe seen in FIGS. 39, 40 and 46, in one arrangement, the release buttonlocking assembly 630 comprises a latch member 632 that is pivotallyjournaled on a latch shaft 638 that is mounted to the release button600. The latch member 632 is may be molded from, for example, plasticpolyoxymethylene (“POM”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”),nylon, etc. and includes a retention lip 634 that is configured toretainingly engage a locking ledge portion 413 formed on the tray baseportion 410. See FIGS. 39 and 40. A torsion spring 640 is journaled onthe latch shaft 638 to bias the latch member 632 so that the retentionlip 634 retainingly engages the locking ledge 413 on the tray baseportion 410. A latch button 642 is movably received within an openbottomed cavity 607 in the forward lip portion 606 of the release button600 and is configured to selectively engage a forward tab 636 on thelatch member 632. When the latch button 642 is biased into itsunactuated position by the torsion spring 640, the retention lip 634 isin retaining engagement with the locking ledge 413 and the forward tab636 of the latch member 632 has biased the latch button 642 to thebottom of the cavity 607 wherein it may be accessed through the openbottom thereof. See FIG. 39. When the user desires to actuate thelocking assembly 630, the user applies an unlocking motion to the latchbutton 642 by pressing the latch button 642 upward (arrow “U” in FIG.39) to bias the latch member 632 to the unlatched position shown in FIG.40. Thereafter, the user may then grasp the forward lip portion 606 ofthe central release button 600 and apply an “actuation” motion to it bypulling it outwardly to actuate the latch system 500 as will bediscussed in further detail below.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, the central releasebutton 600 can only be actuated in one direction (represented by arrow“O” in FIGS. 39, 40 and 45) and only then can it be actuated if therelease button locking assembly 630 has been first actuated to disengagethe release member 632 from retaining engagement with the locking ledgeportion 413 of tray base portion 410. The person of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the unlocking motion is applied to thelatch button in a “first” direction (e.g., upward) and the actuationmotion is applied to the central release button 600 in a “second”direction (e.g., outward) that differs from the first direction. Sucharrangement helps to further prevent the inadvertent actuation of thecentral release button 600. It will be further appreciated that thearrangement of the latch button 642 in the forward lip portion of thecentral release button 600 enables the unlocking motion and actuationmotion to be simultaneously applied using the same hand. In theillustrated arrangement, a tension spring 650 is attached between therear wall 603 of the body portion 602 of the release button 600 and therear wall 622 that is molded on the upper side of the tray base 410. SeeFIGS. 39 and 40. Spring 650 serves to pull the central release button600 inward (represented by arrow “I” in FIGS. 39 and 40) into itsunactuated or locked position (FIGS. 39 and 47).

As was discussed above, the docking members 510R, 510L are configured topermit the tray base portion 410 to move relative to the docking members510R, 510L to permit the tray body 402 to be moved inward or outwardbetween discrete positions, while the tray assembly 400 remains attachedto the armrests 210R, 210L of the seat 200. Referring again to FIGS.46-48, in the illustrated embodiment, latch system 500 further includesa central carriage member 670 that is movably received within the latchhousing portion 416 of the tray base 410. The carriage member 670 may bemolded from plastic polyoxymethylene (“POM”), polypropylene,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), nylon, etc. or other suitablematerial. To prevent the carriage member 670 from inadvertently skewingduring actuation, the carriage member 670 may be molded with a pluralityof slots 672 that are configured to slidably engage correspondingupstanding ribs (not shown) that are formed on the upper side of thetray base portion 410. The carriage member 670 is sized to slidablyextend between the side walls 421 of the latch housing portion 416 ofthe tray base portion 410. As can be seen in FIG. 46, the carriagemember 670 has a right latch housing 680R and a left latch housing 680Lmolded therein. The right latch housing 680R supports a right springcarrier 682R that slidably supports a cable connector 684R that isattached to a right latch member 690R. See FIGS. 47 and 48. The rightspring carrier 682R is retained within the right latch housing 680R byscrews 683R. See FIG. 46. Likewise, the left latch housing 680L supportsa left spring carrier 682L that slidably supports a cable connector 684Lthat is attached to a left latch member 690L. The left spring carrier682L is retained within the left latch housing by screws 683L.

Still referring to FIGS. 46-48, the tray latching system 500 of theillustrated embodiment further includes a right latching tether assembly700R and a left latching tether assembly 700L. The right latching tetherassembly 700R comprises a right flexible cable member 702R that extendsthrough a flexible cable housing member 704R. In the illustratedembodiment, the right flexible cable member 702R may be fabricated fromstainless steel, steel, aluminum, etc. and the right cable housingmember 704R may be fabricated from nylon, polypropylene, etc., forexample. A first end 706R of the right cable member 702R extends througha right socket 626R that is formed in the upstanding rear wall 622 ofthe tray base portion 410 and has a ferrule 708R crimped or otherwiseattached thereto that is retainingly engaged with a corresponding rightattachment post 609R that is formed on the underside of the centralrelease button 600. A corresponding first end 71 OR of the flexiblecable housing 704R is received within the right socket 626R and isretained therein by adhesive, such as a silicone adhesive or othersuitable fastener arrangement. A second end 712R of the right cablemember 702R extends through the right latch housing 680R and rightspring carrier 682R to be coupled to the cable connector 684R by aferrule 714R or other suitable fastener arrangement. A second end 716Rof the cable housing 704R abuts the end of the right spring carrier682R. A right coil spring 720R is journaled on the second end 712R ofthe cable 702R and is received within the right spring carrier 682R toapply a biasing force to the right cable connector 684R to bias theright cable connector 684R and the right latch member 690R that isattached thereto laterally outward (arrow “L” in FIGS. 47 and 48) intoits latched position.

Likewise, the left latching tether assembly 700L comprises a leftflexible cable member 702L that extends through a flexible cable housingmember 704L. The left flexible cable member 702L as well as the leftcable housing member 704L may be identical in composition andconstruction as the right flexible cable member 702R and the right cablehousing member 704R, respectively. A first end 706L of the left cablemember 702L extends through a left socket 626L formed in the upstandingrear wall 622 on the tray base portion 410 and has a ferrule 708Lcrimped or otherwise attached thereto that is retainingly engaged with acorresponding left attachment post 609L formed on the underside of thecentral release button 600. A corresponding first end 710L of theflexible cable housing 704L is received within the left socket 626L andis retained therein by adhesive, such as a silicone adhesive or othersuitable fastener arrangement. A second end 712L of the left cablemember 702L extends through the left latch housing 680L and left springcarrier 682L to be coupled to the left cable connector 684L by a ferrule(not shown) or other suitable fastener arrangement. A second end 716L ofthe left cable housing 704L abuts the end of the left spring carrier682L. A left coil spring 720L is journaled on the second end 712L of theleft cable 702L and is received within the left spring carrier 682L toapply a biasing force to the left cable connector 684L to bias the leftcable connector 684L and the left latch member 690L attached theretolaterally outward (arrow “L”) into its latched position.

In the illustrated arrangement, the right and left latch members 690R,690L may be molded from plastic polyoxymethylene (“POM”), polypropylene,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), nylon, etc. or other suitablematerial and are sized and shaped to retainingly engage the female latchmember 280 in the corresponding armrest 210R, 210L of the seat 200. Forexample, each of the right and left latch members 690R, 690L are sizedrelative to the latch receptacle 282 in the female latch piece 280 topermit a portion of the latch member 690R, 690L to extend therein. Tofacilitate easy docking of each docking member 510R, 510L onto thecorresponding armrest 210R, 210L, each of the latch members 690R, 690Lare formed with a beveled lower portion 692 and a beveled forward edge694 and a beveled rearward edge 696. When the tray assembly 400 ismechanically latched to the armrests 210R, 210L of the seat 200, thelatch members 690R, 690L are latchingly engaged with the correspondinglatching pieces 280 such that the beveled lowered portion 692 of eachlatch member 690R, 690L extends into the latch receptacle 282 of thecorresponding latch piece 280.

In at least one of the embodiments, the tray assembly 400 is designed sothat the user may manipulate the tray assembly 400 with a single hand.To attach the tray assembly 400 to the seat 200, for example, the trayassembly 400 may be oriented so that the right docking member 510R isadjacent to the right armrest 210R and the left docking member 510L isadjacent to the left armrest 210L. For example, the right docking member510R may be located above the right armrest 210R in a position that issufficiently close enough to the right armrest 210R to establishattraction between the magnet assembly 290 in the right armrest 210R andthe docking magnets 518 therein. As the user positions the right dockingmember 510R relative to the right armrest 210R, the tray assembly 400 isalso positioned so that the left docking member 510L is in the sameposition relative to the left armrest 210L. In various embodiments, theright docking member 51OR may be spaced from (i.e., not in contact with)the right armrest 210R and the left docking member 510L may be spacedfrom the left armrest 210L in a plurality of positions, yet stillestablish a degree of magnetic attraction so as to direct or draw theright docking member 510R into latching engagement with the rightarmrest 210R and the left docking member 510L into latching engagementwith the left armrest 210L. In at least one arrangement, the spacingdistance (referred to herein as the “docking distance”) may beapproximately 15mm, for example. It will be understood, however, thatthe magnitude of the docking distance as well as the positions of thetray assembly relative to the arm rests may be dictated by or otherwiseaffected by the number, strength and/or position of the magnets in thedocking members and the armrests.

When the tray assembly 400 is being manipulated for attachment to theseat 200, the user may actuate the central release button 600 so as todraw the latch members 690R, 690L inwardly so as to reduce the distancein which each latch member 690R, 690L protrudes into the correspondingdocking area 520R, 520L to further aid in the docking process. Once thedocking members 510R, 510L are docked onto the right and left arms 210R,210L, respectively, the user may release the central release button 600to permit the latch members 690R, 690L to snap into retaining engagementwith the latch receptacle 282 of the corresponding female latch piece280 to thereby retainingly and mechanically latch the tray assembly 400to the seat 200. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will alsoappreciate that the tray assembly 400 may be latched to the seat 200without actuating the central release button 600.

For example, the user may position the tray assembly 400 so that theright docking area 520R is above the right arm 210R a “docking distance”and the left docking area 520L is above the left arm 210L a “dockingdistance” wherein magnetic attraction is established between the magnets518 and the corresponding magnetic assembly 290 in each armrest. Theuser may then permit the tray assembly 400 to proceed downward so thatthe docking members 510R and 510L contact the right and left armrests210R, 210L, respectively. The beveled portions 692, 694, 696 on eachlatch member 690R,690L, upon contact with portions of the correspondingarmrest, will help to bias the latch member 690R, 690L inwardly whilethe magnets 518 and magnet assemblies 290 facilitate alignment of thedocking members 510R, 510L into positions wherein the latch members690R, 690L may snap into latching engagement with the correspondingfemale latch pieces 280 in the armrests 210R, 210L. Such arrangementrepresents a vast improvement over prior high chair arrangements thatrequire the user to precisely align attachment features on the bottom ofthe tray with corresponding rails on the chair.

When the tray assembly 400 is mounted to the armrests 210R, 210L of theseat 200, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the tray assembly 400 isconfigured to extend over the lap of an infant or occupant that ispositioned in the seat 200. The tray assembly 400 is positioned on topof the seat 200 so that the legs of the infant or occupant are securedunderneath the tray assembly 400 and in between the restraint post 260.The tray assembly 400 can support food, drinks, toys, and/or otheraccessories for the infant's or occupant's needs and/or entertainment.Objects positioned on the tray assembly may be easily accessible to aninfant positioned in the seat 200. In various instances, the trayassembly 400 can be removed from the seat 200 to place an infant in theseat 200 and/or to remove an infant from the seat 200. Additionally oralternatively, the tray assembly 400 can be movable and/or adjustablerelative to the seat 200.

The tray assembly 400 may be detached from the seat 200 by grasping thecentral release button 600 and pulling the release button 600 outwardlyfrom the seat 200. However, before the central button 600 can be moved,the user must actuate the release button locking assembly 630 bypressing the latch button 642 upward within the forward lip portion 606of the button 600. Such arrangement that employs two actuation motionsthat are essentially applied in different directions, serves to preventthe likelihood of inadvertent actuation by a sibling or other child oreven by the occupant of the seat. For example, when the tray assembly400 is attached to the seat 200, the latch button 642 must be depressedupwardly in direction “U” and continued to be sufficiently depressed,while the user pulls the central release button outward to de-latch thetray assembly 400 from the armrests 210R, 210L of the seat 200. Thesetwo actuation motions, however, can conceivably be applied using onlyone hand.

Once the tray assembly 400 has been detached from the seat 200, the trayassembly 400 may be conveniently supported on a table top or other flatsurface. This represents a vast improvement over other tray assembliesthat have a restraint post attached to the underside of the trayassembly.

As indicated above, the tray assembly 400 may also include a removabletray liner 800. As can be seen in FIGS. 39-43, the tray liner 800 isconfigured to snap onto tray top portion 460 of the tray assembly 400.In the illustrated arrangement, the tray liner 800 includes a dishedcentral portion 802 that is configured to be received on the centraldished portion 464 of the tray top portion 460. In addition, the trayliner 800 includes a downwardly extending, forward retention lip 804that includes a catch portion 806 that is configured to releasablyengage the undersigned of the top tray portion 460. In addition, thetray liner 800 also includes a rearward retention lip 808 that isconfigured to retainingly engage a corresponding rear portion of the toptray portion 460. The tray liner 800 may be relatively flexible innature so as to facilitate easy detachment from the top tray portion460. For example, the tray liner 800 may be made from any suitablematerial such as, but not limited to, flexible silicone.

EXAMPLES Example 1

An infant-supporting chair comprising a seat that comprises a firstarrangement of magnetic elements. The infant-supporting chair furthercomprises a tray assembly that is releasably mountable to the seat whenthe tray assembly is in an engaged position relative to the seat. Thetray assembly comprises a tray latching system that is configured toreleasably engage the seat. The tray assembly further comprises a secondarrangement of magnetic elements, wherein the first arrangement ofmagnetic elements and the second arrangement of magnetic elements areconfigured to draw the tray assembly toward the engaged position whenthe tray assembly is in a range of positions relative to the seat thatare sufficient to establish magnetic attraction between the firstarrangement of magnetic elements and the second arrangement of magneticelements.

Example 2

The infant-supporting chair of Example 1, wherein the first arrangementof magnetic elements comprises at least one first seat magnet and atleast one second seat magnet, and wherein the seat further comprisesfirst and second armrests, wherein the first armrest supports the atleast one first seat magnet and the second armrest supports the at leastone second seat magnet.

Example 3

The infant-supporting chair of Example 2, wherein the tray assemblycomprises a first docking member that is configured to receive a portionof the first armrest therein and a second docking member that isconfigured to receive a portion of the second armrest therein. Thesecond arrangement of magnetic elements comprises at least one firstdocking magnet that is supported by the first docking member and atleast one second docking magnet is supported by the second dockingmember.

Example 4

The infant-supporting chair of Example 3, wherein the tray latchingsystem comprises a first latch member that is associated with the firstdocking member and is configured for selective latching engagement withthe first armrest. The tray latching system further comprises a secondlatch member that is associated with the second docking member and isconfigured for selective latching engagement with the second armrest.

Example 5

The infant-supporting chair of Example 4, wherein the seat furthercomprises a first latch receptacle in the first armrest for selectivelatching engagement with the first latch member and a second latchreceptacle in the second armrest for selective latching engagement withthe second latch member.

Example 6

The infant-supporting chair of Examples 4 or 5, wherein the traylatching system further comprises a release button that is movablysupported on the tray assembly for selective movement between a lockedposition and actuated position and operably interfaces with the firstand second latch members to selectively simultaneously disengage thefirst latch member from the first armrest and the second latch memberfrom the second armrest when the release button is moved from the lockedposition to the actuated position.

Example 7

The infant-supporting chair of Example 6, wherein the release button ismovable from the locked position to the actuated position uponapplication of an actuation motion thereto and wherein the latchingsystem further comprises a release button locking assembly that operablyinterfaces with the release button to selectively retain the releasebutton in the locked position until an unlocking motion is applied tothe release button locking assembly.

Example 8

The infant-supporting chair of Example 7, wherein the unlocking motionis applied to the release button locking assembly in a first directionand wherein the actuation motion is applied to the release button in asecond direction that differs from the first direction.

Example 9

The infant-supporting chair of Example 8, wherein the unlocking motionand the actuation motion may be applied to the release button lockingassembly and the release button, respectively by a single hand.

Example 10

The infant-supporting chair of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9,wherein said tray latching system is configured to permit said trayassembly to move relative to said seat between a plurality of discretetray positions relative to said seat while said tray latching system isin releasable engagement with said seat.

Example 11

The infant-supporting chair of Example 10, wherein the tray assemblycomprises a tray body and a first docking member that is movably coupledto the tray body and is configured to receive a portion of the firstarmrest therein. In addition, the second arrangement of magneticelements comprises at least one tray magnet that is supported on thefirst docking member. The tray latching system further comprises a firsttray latch arm that is movably supported on the tray body and isconfigured for selective latching engagement with the first dockingmember to selectively retain the first docking member in any one of aplurality of latched positions relative to the tray body. A seconddocking member is movably coupled to the tray body and is configured toreceive a portion of the second armrest therein. The second arrangementof magnetic elements also further comprises at least one other traymagnet that is supported on the second docking member. The tray latchingsystem further comprises a second tray latch arm that is movablysupported on the tray body and is configured for selective latchingengagement with the second docking member.

Example 12

The infant-supporting chair of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or11, further comprising a frame assembly and wherein the seat furthercomprises a seat positioning system configured to latch said seat tosaid frame assembly at a plurality of heights above a surface upon whichsaid frame assembly is supported.

Example 14

The infant-supporting chair of Example 13, wherein the seat positioningsystem comprises a first seat latching assembly on the seat and beingconfigured to selectively latchingly engage a corresponding portion ofthe frame assembly in any one of a plurality of discrete latchinglocations corresponding to the plurality of heights. Theinfant-supporting chair further comprises a second seat latchingassembly on the seat and being configured to selectively latchinglyengage another corresponding portion of the frame assembly in anotherone of another plurality of discrete latching locations that correspondto the plurality of latching locations.

Example 15

The infant-supporting chair of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein the tray assembly comprises at least oneutensil retainer configured to releasably retain at least one utensil ona tray surface of the tray assembly.

Example 16

The infant-supporting chair of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, further comprising a tray liner that is releasablycoupled to the tray assembly and is configured to cover an upper surfaceof the tray assembly when coupled thereto.

Example 17

The infant-supporting chair of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, further comprising further comprising amultiple piece restraint system that is operably supported on the seat.The multiple pieces of the multiple piece restraint system areselectively movable between latched and unlatched orientations. Theinfant-supporting chair further comprises means or apparatus forreleasably retaining portions of the multiple piece restraint system inpredetermined locations when the multiple pieces are in the unlatchedorientations.

Example 18

An infant supporting chair that comprises a frame assembly and a seatthat is movably supported on the frame assembly. The seat assemblycomprises a first armrest that supports at least one first armrestmagnet feature and a second armrest that supports at least one secondarmrest magnet feature. The infant-supporting chair further comprises aseat positioning system that is configured to latch the seat to theframe assembly at any one of a plurality of predetermined heights abovea surface upon which the frame assembly is supported,. The seatpositioning system comprises first and second seat latching assembliesthat must be actuated to permit movement of the seat relative to theframe assembly. The infant-supporting chair further comprises a trayassembly that comprises at least one first tray magnet feature that isoriented to establish magnetic attraction with the at least one firstarmrest magnet feature and at least one second tray magnet feature thatis oriented to establish other magnetic attraction with the at least onesecond armrest magnet feature.

Example 19

The infant-supporting chair of Example 18, further comprising a multiplepiece restraint system operably supported on the seat. The multiplepieces are selectively movable between latched and unlatchedorientations.

Example 20

An infant-supporting chair, comprising a seat and a tray assembly. Thetray assembly comprises a releasable mechanical latching system forretainingly engaging the tray assembly to the seat when the trayassembly is in a latching position. The infant-supporting chair furthercomprises at least one tray guidance system that is configured to guidethe tray assembly into the latching position. The tray guidance systemcomprises at least one magnet feature in the seat and at least one othermagnet feature in the tray assembly.

Although the various embodiments of the devices have been describedherein in connection with certain disclosed embodiments, manymodifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented.Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, othermaterials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, asingle component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiplecomponents may be replaced by a single component, to perform a givenfunction or functions. In addition, features disclosed in connectionwith one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments disclosedherein. The foregoing description and following claims are intended tocover all such modification and variations.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdo not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in the disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant-supporting chair, comprising: a seatcomprising a first arrangement of magnetic elements; and a tray assemblyreleasably mountable to said seat when said tray assembly is in anengaged position relative to said seat, wherein said tray assemblycomprises: a tray latching system configured to releasably engage saidseat; and a second arrangement of magnetic elements, wherein said firstarrangement of magnetic elements and said second arrangement of magneticelements are configured to draw said tray assembly toward the engagedposition when said tray assembly is in a range of positions relative tosaid seat that are sufficient to establish magnetic attraction betweensaid first arrangement of magnetic elements and said second arrangementof magnetic elements.
 2. The infant-supporting chair of claim 1, whereinsaid first arrangement of magnetic elements comprises at least one firstseat magnet and at least one second seat magnet, and wherein said seatfurther comprises first and second armrests, wherein said first armrestsupports said at least one first seat magnet and said second armrestsupports said at least one second seat magnet.
 3. The infant-supportingchair of claim 2, wherein said tray assembly comprises: a first dockingmember configured to receive a portion of said first armrest therein; asecond docking member configured to receive a portion of said secondarmrest therein and wherein said second arrangement of magnetic elementscomprises: at least one first docking magnet supported by said firstdocking member; and at least one second docking magnet supported by saidsecond docking member.
 4. The infant-supporting chair of claim 3,wherein said tray latching system comprises: a first latch memberassociated with said first docking member and configured for selectivelatching engagement with said first armrest; and a second latch memberassociated with said second docking member and configured for selectivelatching engagement with said second armrest.
 5. The infant-supportingchair of claim 4, wherein said seat further comprises: a first latchreceptacle in said first armrest for selective latching engagement withsaid first latch member; and a second latch receptacle in said secondarmrest for selective latching engagement with said second latch member.6. The infant-supporting chair of claim 4, wherein said tray latchingsystem further comprises a release button movably supported on said trayassembly for selective movement between a locked position and actuatedposition and operably interfacing with said first and second latchmembers to selectively simultaneously disengage said first latch memberfrom said first armrest and said second latch member from said secondarmrest when said release button is moved from said locked position tosaid actuated position.
 7. The infant-supporting chair of claim 6,wherein said release button is movable from said locked position to saidactuated position upon application of an actuation motion thereto andwherein said latching system further comprises a release button lockingassembly operably interfacing with said release button to selectivelyretain said release button in said locked position until an unlockingmotion is applied to said release button locking assembly.
 8. Theinfant-supporting chair of claim 7, wherein said unlocking motion isapplied to said release button locking assembly in a first direction andwherein said actuation motion is applied to said release button in asecond direction that differs from said first direction.
 9. Theinfant-supporting chair of claim 8, wherein said unlocking motion andsaid actuation motion may be applied to said release button lockingassembly and said release button, respectively by a single hand.
 10. Theinfant-supporting chair of claim 1, wherein said tray latching system isconfigured to permit said tray assembly to move relative to said seatbetween a plurality of discrete tray positions relative to said seatwhile said tray latching system is in releasable engagement with saidseat.
 11. The infant-supporting chair of claim 1, wherein said trayassembly comprises: a tray body; a first docking member movably coupledto said tray body and being configured to receive a portion of saidfirst armrest therein, and wherein said second arrangement of magneticelements comprises at least one tray magnet supported on said firstdocking member and wherein said tray latching system further comprises afirst tray latch arm movably supported on said tray body and configuredfor selective latching engagement with said first docking member toselectively retain said first docking member in any one of a pluralityof latched positions relative to said tray body; and a second dockingmember movably coupled to said tray body and being configured to receivea portion of said second armrest therein, and wherein said secondarrangement of magnetic elements further comprises at least one othertray magnet supported on said second docking member and wherein saidtray latching system further comprises a second tray latch arm movablysupported on said tray body and configured for selective latchingengagement with said second docking member.
 12. The infant-supportingchair of claim 1, further comprising a frame assembly and wherein saidseat further comprises a seat positioning system configured to latchsaid seat to said frame assembly at a plurality of heights above asurface upon which said frame assembly is supported.
 13. Theinfant-supporting chair of claim 12, wherein said seat positioningsystem comprises: a first seat latching assembly on said seat and beingconfigured to selectively latchingly engage a corresponding portion ofsaid frame assembly in any one of a plurality of discrete latchinglocations corresponding to said plurality of heights; and a second seatlatching assembly on said seat and being configured to selectivelylatchingly engage another corresponding portion of said frame assemblyin another one of another plurality of discrete latching locations thatcorrespond to said plurality of latching locations.
 14. Theinfant-supporting chair of claim 13, wherein said first seat latchingassembly is independently operable from said second seat latchingassembly and wherein said first and second seat latching assemblies mustbe simultaneously actuated to permit said seat to be moved between saidplurality of heights.
 15. The infant-supporting chair of claim 1,wherein said tray assembly comprises at least one utensil retainerconfigured to releasably retain at least one utensil on a tray surfaceof said tray assembly.
 16. The infant-supporting chair of claim 1,further comprising a tray liner releasably coupled to said tray assemblyand being configured to cover an upper surface of said tray assemblywhen coupled thereto.
 17. The infant-supporting chair of claim 1,further comprising a multiple piece restraint system operably supportedon said seat, said multiple pieces being selectively movable betweenlatched and unlatched orientations.
 18. An infant-supporting chair,comprising: a frame assembly; and a seat movably supported on said frameassembly, said seat comprising: a first armrest supporting at least onefirst armrest magnet feature; and a second armrest supporting at leastone second armrest magnet feature and wherein said infant-supportingchair further comprises: a seat positioning system configured to latchsaid seat to said frame assembly at any one of a plurality ofpredetermined heights above a surface upon which said frame assembly issupported, said seat positioning system comprising first and second seatlatching assemblies that must be actuated to permit movement of saidseat relative to said frame assembly; and a tray assembly comprising: atleast one first tray magnet feature oriented to establish magneticattraction with said at least one first armrest magnet feature; and atleast one second tray magnet feature oriented to establish othermagnetic attraction with said at least one second armrest magnetfeature.
 19. The infant-supporting chair of claim 18, further comprisinga multiple piece restraint system operably supported on said seat, saidmultiple pieces being selectively movable between latched and unlatchedorientations.
 20. An infant-supporting chair, comprising: a seat; and atray assembly comprising: a releasable mechanical latching system forretainingly engaging said tray assembly to said seat when said trayassembly is in a latching position; and a tray guidance systemconfigured to guide said tray assembly into said latching position, saidtray guidance system comprising at least one magnet feature in said seatand at least one other magnet feature in said tray assembly.